Mayor of Hertsmere Cllr Anne Swerling
- Credit: HBC
The mayoral chains have been passed on to Councillor Anne Swerling as she takes over from Cllr Alan Plancey in the role of mayor of Hertsmere for the next year.
She was inaugurated at the annual council meeting last night (Wednesday, May 19), when the new deputy mayor, Cllr John Graham, was also welcomed.
Deputy mayor of Hertsmere cllr John Graham
- Credit: HBC
At the meeting, former mayor, Cllr Alan Plancey, whose own appointment last year became a heated event over accusations of homophobia, talked about his role during the pandemic and lockdown, as well as raising money for his chosen charities: Herts Mind Network and Camp Simcha.
Published:
4:00 PM December 22, 2020
A new report, called the Hertfordshire Suicide Audit, said suicides in the county were already rising annually before Covid-19 hit.
- Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
Calls to a mental health crisis helpline in Hertfordshire have doubled since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Herts Mind Network warned that the problem was likely to worsen over Christmas, when suicide helplines traditionally see a spike in calls.
A report discussed this month by councillors showed suicides in Herts, whilst below the UK average, had already been increasing every year.
The Hertfordshire Suicide Audit”, based on coroners’ verdicts, said 270 people were recorded as having taken their lives between 2017 and 2019 – but the true figure was likely higher.